Upcycle creative reuse center history
OUR INSPIRATION
After visiting the ReMida Creative Recycling Center in Reggio Emilia, Italy in 2010, Susan Miranda and Kelley Organek were inspired to bring a similar creative recycling center to the City of Alexandria. We incorporated in November 2011 and our non-profit status is retroactive since that date. We opened a reuse center in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia in June 2013. In May 2016, UpCycle moved to the Durant Arts Center, a City of Alexandria recreation facility located at 1605 Cameron Street. In March of 2022, UpCycle moved to the Building Momentum campus at 5380-D Eisenhower Ave, where it stayed until June 2025. In December of 2025, UpCycle opened its current location, 2397 S Dove St, Alexandria, VA 22314 after a 6 month hiatus.
OUR PHILOSOPHY ON LEARNING
We are inspired by principles of the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, which is a process-based learning approach that focuses on curiosity, exploration, and growth rather than perfect outcomes. The act of making - trying, adjusting, and reflecting - is how meaningful learning takes root.
Using reclaimed objects for creative projects helps learners construct a deeper understanding of waste minimization by experiencing firsthand how discarded materials can be transformed into useful resources. When learners see that their choices matter, they are more likely to use creativity to conserve resources and mindfully evaluate materials in the future.
Our role is to provide inspiring materials, thoughtful guidance, and a supportive environment for learners to ask questions, test ideas, and develop understanding in ways that are meaningful to them.
After visiting the ReMida Creative Recycling Center in Reggio Emilia, Italy in 2010, Susan Miranda and Kelley Organek were inspired to bring a similar creative recycling center to the City of Alexandria. We incorporated in November 2011 and our non-profit status is retroactive since that date. We opened a reuse center in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria, Virginia in June 2013. In May 2016, UpCycle moved to the Durant Arts Center, a City of Alexandria recreation facility located at 1605 Cameron Street. In March of 2022, UpCycle moved to the Building Momentum campus at 5380-D Eisenhower Ave, where it stayed until June 2025. In December of 2025, UpCycle opened its current location, 2397 S Dove St, Alexandria, VA 22314 after a 6 month hiatus.
OUR PHILOSOPHY ON LEARNING
We are inspired by principles of the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy, which is a process-based learning approach that focuses on curiosity, exploration, and growth rather than perfect outcomes. The act of making - trying, adjusting, and reflecting - is how meaningful learning takes root.
Using reclaimed objects for creative projects helps learners construct a deeper understanding of waste minimization by experiencing firsthand how discarded materials can be transformed into useful resources. When learners see that their choices matter, they are more likely to use creativity to conserve resources and mindfully evaluate materials in the future.
Our role is to provide inspiring materials, thoughtful guidance, and a supportive environment for learners to ask questions, test ideas, and develop understanding in ways that are meaningful to them.
UPCYCLE IN THE MEDIA
Check out our past blog posts here
ARTICLES
2/2026 - Eco-City Business Spotlight: UpCycle Creative Reuse Center
2/2026 - Transforming Waste Into Opportunity By Mayor Alyia Gaskins
12/23/2025 - UpCycle Creative Reuse Center reopens in new location after six-month closure - ALX Now
12/8/2025 - UpCycle Creative Reuse Center Announces Opening of New Materials Center in Alexandria - The Zebra
10/5/2025 - Alexandria Women for Good Donates $13,147 to UpCycle to Fuel Sustainable Creativity and Community -The Zebra
4/21/2023 - ACPS April Partner & Volunteer Highlight: UpCycle Creative Reuse Center
4/5/2023 - UpCycle Creative Reuse Center: Getting Creative with Sustainability
11/10/2021 - ‘Upcycling’ uses creativity to keep items out of the trash
12/2017 - Parenting Today on iHeartRadio with SCAN of Northern Virginia - Managing Holiday Stress
6/2017 - UpCycle's Impact Report: 2016-17 Outreach in Alexandria City Public School Preschool and Kindergarten Classes
5/2017 - Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia Report
7/2016 - UpCycle's Blog - Kevin Bacon Makes a Special Delivery to UpCycle
6/2016 - Alexandria Times - Teale, Chris. UpCycle Relocates to the Durant Center.
8/2015 - Voice of America - Urdu
11/16/2013 - Trashmagination - UpCycle Creative Reuse Center
10/7/2013 - DIY Del Ray - Making Art on the Avenue
9/2/2013 - Del Ray, VA Patch - McLoone, Sharon. UpCycle Opens in Downtown Del Ray.
7/29/2013 - DIY Del Ray - Welcome to Del Ray, UpCycle Creative Reuse Center.
4/25/2013 - Alexandria Gazette Packet - Celebrating Earth Day - pg. 3
VIDEOS
Delegate Ken Plum's Virginia Report - May 2017
|
Managing Holiday Stress-Parenting Today
December 21, 2017 • 13 min
|
UpCycle Opens in Downtown Del Ray - September 2013
|
Reuse Alexandria - Making Alexandria a Better Place to Live - October 2016
|